16 choirs scheduled to perform at Rayne Memorial UMC Sunday

Sixteen choirs are scheduled to perform at Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church Sunday in a service stressing the role of music as a form of prayer. The 4 p.m. service, organized by Interfaith Communications International, includes spoken prayer and selected Scripture readings urging Christians to sing out in prayer.

"I think in some churches, leadership has given the impression that the people are to be spectators, and that they are to focus silently on what's going on up front. That's a shame," said the Rev. Will Mackintosh, whose ecumenical non-profit is sponsoring the event.